How To Catch Squid From The Shore In Sydney

Sydney is a great place to catch squid. Its harbours, bays and rocky headlands hold plenty of calamari, and you can chase them from the shore with a light rod, a reel and a handful of jigs. Here's how to get started.

Where To Look

Squid like structure where they can ambush baitfish. Look for:

  • Weed beds and seagrass in sheltered bays and harbours. They show up as darker patches of water over sand.
  • Rock ledges and breakwalls, especially where weed meets sand.
  • Wharves and jetties, particularly at night when their lights draw in baitfish. Check the signs first, as fishing isn't allowed everywhere.

Calmer, clearer water is usually better. After heavy rain the harbour often turns dirty, and the squid can be harder to find.

When To Go

You can catch squid in Sydney all year round. The hours around dawn and dusk are often the most productive, and night fishing under lights can be excellent. A change of tide is worth fishing too, as moving water often switches squid on.

The Gear You Need

  • Rod and reel: a light spinning rod around 8 foot with a 2500 to 3000 size reel. The PENN Fierce IV 3000 is a solid choice.
  • Line: light braid such as Sunline Siglon PE ADV X8 in PE 0.6 to 1 gives you casting distance and feel.
  • Leader: a metre or two of fluorocarbon leader such as Sunline Egi Leader FC, tied to the end of your braid.
  • Jigs: a few 2.5 and 3.0 jigs in different colours. Our beginner jig guide will help you choose.
  • A snap so you can change jigs quickly, like our duo lock snaps.

How To Work A Squid Jig

  1. Cast out and let the jig sink. Count it down so you know roughly how deep it is. Most jigs list a sink rate in seconds per metre, which helps.
  2. Give the rod two or three sharp upward lifts, then wind in the slack.
  3. Let the jig sink again on a tight line. Most squid grab the jig while it's sinking or resting, so watch your line for a twitch or extra weight.
  4. Repeat all the way back in, and fish it right to your feet. Squid often follow a jig in before they grab it.

Landing Your Squid

Keep steady pressure and don't rush. The spikes on a squid jig have no barbs, so any slack line can let a squid slip off. Lift it out smoothly and point it away from you, because squid can squirt ink. A squid spike dispatches them quickly and keeps the flesh in better condition for eating.

Be A Good Angler

Check the NSW fishing rules for bag and size limits and closed areas before you go. Most adults also need to pay the NSW Recreational Fishing Fee. Take your rubbish and old line home, and rinse any ink off the rocks and wharves.

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